{"id":8671,"date":"2026-07-13T19:28:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T19:28:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/ann-widdecombe-murder-suspect-re-arrested-on-terror-offence-after-new-evidence\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T19:28:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T19:28:04","slug":"ann-widdecombe-murder-suspect-re-arrested-on-terror-offence-after-new-evidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/ann-widdecombe-murder-suspect-re-arrested-on-terror-offence-after-new-evidence\/","title":{"rendered":"Ann Widdecombe &#8216;murder&#8217; suspect re-arrested on terror offence after &#8216;new evidence&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_feca84\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">The prime suspect, a White British man who cannot be named for legal reasons, was today re-arrested on suspicion of &#8220;commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism&#8221;, Counter Terrorism Policing South East said<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37426113\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"New footage showing the moment the suspect was arrested at his home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426113.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_DX980JPG.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426113.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/1_DX980JPG.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426113.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/1_DX980JPG.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426113.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_DX980JPG.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"New footage showing the moment the suspect was arrested at his home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">New footage showing the moment the suspect was arrested at his home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Counter terror cops are now leading the probe into Ann Widdecombe\u2019s killing after announcing they have discovered \u201cnew information and evidence\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The development came as police continued to quiz a 28-year-old man on suspicion of murdering the 78-year-old former Cabinet Minister and new footage emerged of his arrest. Head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said: \u201cBuilding on the progress made by our colleagues in <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/devon-and-cornwall-police\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Devon and Cornwall Police<\/a>, we now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is now leading the investigation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cWe are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack. Our priority is progressing this investigation quickly, with all the capabilities we have available to us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37426126\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37426126\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.8672199170124482\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ann Widdecombe\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426126.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-at-her-home-in-Devon-Britain-20-Mar-2013.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426126.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-at-her-home-in-Devon-Britain-20-Mar-2013.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426126.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-at-her-home-in-Devon-Britain-20-Mar-2013.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426126.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-at-her-home-in-Devon-Britain-20-Mar-2013.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Veteran politician Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Veteran politician Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday<cite aria-label=\"Image: Christopher Jones\/Shutterstock\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Christopher Jones\/Shutterstock)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The prime suspect in the case, a White British man who cannot be named for legal reasons, was today re-arrested on suspicion of &#8220;commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism&#8221;, Counter Terrorism Policing South East said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It came two days after he was arrested at his home in Rotherham, South Yorkshire &#8211; some 270 miles from Ms Widdecombe&#8217;s home in Haytor, Devon, where she was found dead last Thursday. The man&#8217;s re-arrest on suspicion of terror offences means police can now hold him without charge for up to 14 days under the Terrorism Act.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Specialist terror officers had previously been working alongside detectives from Devon and Cornwall Police&#8217;s Major Crime Investigation Team since a murder investigation was launched last week and assisted in the suspect&#8217;s original arrest shortly after 9pm on Saturday night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Detectives have been examining CCTV appearing to show the man putting a wooden stick in the back of a filthy and moss-covered red Vauxhall Corsa on the day police believe Ms Widdecombe was killed. Neighbours have described him as a loner who became increasingly reclusive after the death of his dad last December.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37426118\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37426118\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.3333333333333333\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Police guarding the home where the man was arrested shortly after 9pm on Saturday night\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426118.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-death.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426118.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-death.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426118.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-death.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426118.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-death.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Police were today guarding the home where the man was arrested shortly after 9pm on Saturday night\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Police were today guarding the home where the man was arrested shortly after 9pm on Saturday night<cite aria-label=\"Image: Dave Higgens\/PA Wire\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Dave Higgens\/PA Wire)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But while updating MPs about the case in the <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/house-of-commons\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">House of Commons<\/a> today, Home Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/shabana-mahmood-mp\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Shabana Mahmood<\/a> revealed the man was not previously known to the government&#8217;s counter extremism programme Prevent. She also said officers are investigating &#8220;multiple lines of enquiry&#8221; to establish the motive for the attack and added police are preparing to issue new guidance to MPs, as well as former Members of Parliament.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">She said: &#8220;Politics is a calling, for those of us here. But it should not be a dangerous one. And so it is incumbent on the House and the Government to work together to protect those who choose to serve.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Paying tribute to Ms Widdecombe, Ms Mahmood said: &#8220;Ann Widdecombe dedicated her life to politics and public service. For nearly forty years, she was a fixture of our political life. She brought conviction to our politics, grounded in her profound Catholic faith.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;She was forthright in her opinions, and argued courageously for the things she believed in. But, perhaps most of all, she brought an inimitable style to politics. She was forthright and fearless.&#8221; Ms Mahmood added: &#8220;She was one of those rare politicians who was bigger than politics.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37426123\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37426123\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.4987510407993339\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Floral and other tributes to Ann Widdecombe\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426123.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-murder-crime-scenes-200-miles-apart.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426123.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-murder-crime-scenes-200-miles-apart.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426123.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-murder-crime-scenes-200-miles-apart.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426123.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-murder-crime-scenes-200-miles-apart.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Mourners are continuing to leave flowers and other tributes near to the former Cabinet Minister's home\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mourners are continuing to leave flowers and other tributes near to the former Cabinet Minister&#8217;s home<cite aria-label=\"Image: Tom Wren \/ SWNS\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Tom Wren \/ SWNS)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle also paid tribute to Ms Widdecombe in the chamber and urged MPs not to say anything that might prejudice a future trial. He said: &#8220;Ann was a formidable politician, a prominent figure in public life. She was a member of Parliament for Maidstone for 27 years, holding a number of ministerial posts in the 90s. Ann was fierce and enjoyed robust political debate. <!-- -->&#8220;Whether you agree with her or not, she was principled, spoke her mind and was true to her beliefs, which were informed by a Christian faith. On a personal level, Casa Pizza in Lambeth, in Kennington, is where I spent a lot of time in the evening sharing a pizza with the one and only Ann Widdecombe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;She was a friend in many ways. Politically we may not agree, but she was without doubt a courageous principal politician and all our thoughts are with her family and her friends.&#8221; <!-- -->Sir Lindsay Hoyle has previously spoken about his fears for MPs following the killings of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016 and Conservative politician David Amess in 2021. He added: &#8220;Ann was a close friend to David Amess, who was murdered in 2021, and both were fellow animal lovers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37426115\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37426115\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.2844488188976377\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426115.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-death.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426115.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-death.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426115.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-death.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37426115.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Ann-Widdecombe-death.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle<cite aria-label=\"Image: House of Commons\/UK Parliament\/PA Wire\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: House of Commons\/UK Parliament\/PA Wire)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ms Widdecombe, a former Tory minister and lately a spokeswoman for Reform UK, was found dead in her kitchen on Thursday &#8211; 24 hours after she died at around 12.30pm having sustained serious injuries in the isolated cottage where she lived with her cat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Police believe she died in her house just 30 minutes before she was set to appear on Channel 5\u2019s Matt Allwright show, via video call from home. She had last messaged a producer at 12.19pm, but failed to respond to a text at 12.48pm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Downing Street today urged the public to respect &#8220;the integrity&#8221; of the police investigation following intense social media speculation about the motive for the attack. The Prime Minister&#8217;s official spokesman said: \u201cThe police have been very clear that this is a live murder investigation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;We would echo their message that it is important the integrity of the investigation is protected and supported while officers carry out their work. We would also urge anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward and contact the police.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/ann-widdecombe-murder-counter-terrorism-37426090\" target=\"_blank\">Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The prime suspect, a White British man who cannot be named for legal reasons, was<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8672,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1_DX980JPG.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8671"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8671\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}